If you had $155,000 to blow on a new car, or £139,000 ($181,286) in the UK, where this review took place, would you buy a Polestar 1 or check out the BMW M8 Competition Coupe instead, which is $9,000 more affordable?
Tracing its roots back to the 2013 Volvo Coupe Concept, the Polestar 1 is quite the looker with its flashy yet elegant exterior. The “Thor’s Hammer” headlights and C-shaped taillights are enough to help it identify with some of Volvo’s modern cars – after all, it does share the SPA platform with them.
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The Volvo influence carries over inside, where you will find the same infotainment system that feels somewhat old. Nonetheless, it does feature everything you need, from smartphone integration to a digital radio. Other amenities include the heated front seats, leather upholstery, head-up display, dual-zone climate control and digital instrument cluster. As for the rear seats, they’re best reserved for kids as you won’t be able to sit an adult back there, never mind two.
The Polestar 1 has a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine making 340 HP, and two motors on the rear axle that drive each wheel independently and contribute to the total output of 619 HP and 737 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) of torque. The 34 kWh battery pack provides an EPA-rated all-electric range of 52 miles (83.6 km).
The electrified four-wheel drive system gives it plenty of grip, and despite being quite heavy, it is actually fun to drive. In fact, the reviewer noted that it feels more like a sports coupe than a grand tourer – so let’s see what else he had to say about the Polestar 1.